St. Paul’s Cathedral & Tower of London Tour with Cruise

Description: Your guide meets you at St. Mark’s Square. Through thrilling anecdotes and swash-buckling stories, learn about the history of Venice and St. Mark’s Basilica—like how it received its precious relics via a 9th-century kidnapping! But then comes the real treat. All of the passersby will wonder where you’re going as a custodian unlocks the basilica’s doors for you and Walks of Italy’s small groups of maximum 15 clients... And walks you right in. Inside, take a deep breath. You’re experiencing St. Mark’s Basilica as almost nobody else does, or ever has ever been able to (aside from the Doge himself)—empty! No standing elbow-to-elbow with other tourists, no seeing the church as if through a strobe light from hundreds of popping flashbulbs, no noise from the crowds. In-stead, you’re alone with your guide and the custodian. So you can experience the ba-silica as it should be experienced: in tranquility and peace. Of course, you’ll also be able to skip all the lines—not only into the basilica, but also to see the Pala d’Oro, the spectacular, Byzantine altarpiece that uses more than 1,900 gems! During the day, there’s a line to see this, but now? You have it almost all to yourself. Since you’re alone in the basilica with Walks of Italy groups only, you can even go where others, visiting during the day, can’t. Like the crypt, which the custodian un-locks for you: This is where the bones of St. Mark are said to actually be kept. Plus, you can see the stained walls here from the past floods that have devastated Ven-ice—the crypt used to be flooded every time the high tide hit the city! Aside from the emptiness of the basilica, nighttime is the best time to visit because that’s when the mosaics are at their most beautiful. All 43,000 square feet are lit up, glimmering and sparkling in the dark! If just seeing the basilica this way weren’t entrancing enough, there’s also your guide, an expert who’s passionate about Venetian art and history—and about shar-ing it with you in the most fun way possible. You’ll hear the tale of how St. Mark’s became St. Mark’s, a story that pivots on a kidnapping and and a dangerous sea voy-age! You’ll learn where the precious marbles decorating St. Mark’s really come from... A one-hour tour that will give you memories which will last a lifetime!  Important Notes: Please remember that the basilica is a holy place and attire must be appropriate: Both men and women are asked to wear clothing that covers at least the shoulders and knees. Walks of Italy cannot be held responsible for denied entry due to im-proper dress. Backpacks are prohibited inside of St. Mark's Basilica. This tour runs rain or shine.

Activities: Hiking Snow Sports Photography Adventure Wildlife & Nature Eco/Sustainable   Includes: Complimentary pick up/drop off from the San Francisco Hilton hotel (Mason St. entrance) Hotel accommodations (double occupancy same-sex or couple share, single occ supplement applies for single bookings) Narrated guided tour by a full-time professional, knowledgeable guide See Lake Tahoe, Donner Pass, Sacramento, Truckee, the Sierra Mountain Range, Emerald Bay, 2 Ski Resorts, and more! Transportation throughout tour in biofuel mini-coach   Not Included: Meals (stops will be made to purchase food). Optional activity entrance fees (Ski Resort access, Lift tickets, Lessons, etc) Gear Rental (Ski/Snowboards, Snow Shoes, Winter Clothing/Boots/Goggles/etc) Single occ supplement for private room for 1 person Guide gratuity (optional)     Suggested Gear List: Camera & charger Small day pack Change of clothes for 3 days Swimwear, towel Toiletries Sun protection, hat Water bottle Warm layers (evenings can be cooler) ADDITIONAL Gear For Partaking in Snow Sports Raincoat/jacket Hiking boots or durable sneakers (preferably Gortex or waterproof) Warm layers (long underwear & wool fleece suggested) Waterproof jacket/pants for winter conditions Gloves, wool socks and a hat (75% of your body heat is lost through your hands, head, and feet) Ski/Snowboard Gear (not provided)   ​SAMPLE ITINERARY – DAY 1 (THURSDAY) SAN FRANCISCO TO SOUTH LAKE TAHOE/HEAVENLY MOUNTAIN RESORT 10:00am:  Pick up from San Francisco Hilton Hotel (Mason Street entrance) Morning:  Buckle up! After departing San Francisco, you’ll head through California’s capital city, Sacramento, through the Sierra foothills and into the famous Gold Rush Country, cresting a high mountain pass within the Sierra Nevada. Then we’ll wind our way through large pine forests, before dramatically descending into South Lake Tahoe. Afternoon:  In the evening, we’ll settle into our centrally located hotel and then head out to happy hour with the Apres Ski crowd at the base of Heavenly Mountain Resort before a comfy night’s rest.   SAMPLE ITINERARY – DAY 2 (FRIDAY) SOUTH LAKE TAHOE: CHOOSE YOUR ADVENTURE All Day:  While masses of people are piling into their cars to head to the mountains, you’ll be on the first lift up to carve the groomers, or to get fresh tracks in that Heavenly powder! Don’t worry if you’re not really into skiing, our guides will offer the opportunity to go out on a fabulously scenic drive on the mountain roads surrounding Lake Tahoe, or maybe even a snowshoe adventure! If you’re really just here for the casinos, they’re open 24 hours, and you’re welcome to see if Lady Luck is on your side all day if you like! Don’t want to miss out on any of it? No problem, we’re flexible: our guides know their stuff, and we’ll help you fit in a scenic drive in the morning, get yourself a half day ticket on the mountain, and then hit the casinos all night long!   SAMPLE ITINERARY – DAY 3 (SATURDAY) SOUTH LAKE TAHOE TO SQUAW VALLEY & TRUCKEE, CA Morning:  We’ll hit the road early this morning and head toward historic Tahoe City taking in views of Emerald Bay before heading toward the famous Squaw Valley Resort. If you’re heading up onto this epic ski and snowboarding destination today, you’ll be glad if you dusted off the cobwebs on Heavenly yesterday. This place is the real deal, where you can often see extreme athletes pushing the envelope, soaring from the cliffs as you ride up the famous KT-22 Express. Make sure you bring your swimsuit too: the High Camp Pool and Hot Tub high on the resort is open for business…all winter long! This side of the lake also offers amazing snowshoeing or cross country skiing opportunities as well. Once again, you’ll be offered the choice to head up on the ski hill, or we’ll take you out on the trails through Stanislaus National Forest or maybe a snowshoe hike near the Donner Memorial State Park and explore the history of the ill-fated pioneers of the Donner Party as they struggled to travel west in their wagons and became stranded in the winter of 1846-47. Afternoon/Evening:  After a full day of winter adventures, we’ll head into the historic town of Truckee, CA to check into our accommodation for the evening, and then head out for dinner and a night on the town with the locals.   **Sample Itineraries: Please note that due to rapidly-changing conditions beyond our control (weather, crowds, traffic) and the small size of our vehicles/groups, our guides have the flexibility to adjust your itinerary to best suit the group’s needs. While we guarantee we’ll do our best to provide you with all of the highlights within this Lake Tahoe Winter Adventure Tour itinerary (conditions permitting), we don’t guarantee them in this specific order. **

Experience the Canyon Fox - an exciting zip line ride with a twist. Standing at 182m high, the Canyon fox is the highest flying-fox in New Zealand which will drop you into a 10m freefall. Continue your adventure with the worlds most exciting jet boat ride. Speed along the water and around the narrow river bends at up to 85km/h before your skilled drive spins you 360 degrees. Top it off with white water rafting down the Kawarau or Shotover River. This iconic river has stretches of calm water with a unique perspective of the historic Kawarau Bungy Bridge as your raft passes underneath. Experience the rugged Gibbston Valley wine region and Lord of the Rings country before taking on New Zelands longest commercially rafted rapid, the 400m Dog Leg Rapid. YOU SHOULD BRING: Swim wear Towel Closed and secure shoes for the Swing & Fox Warm clothes during winter periods

Discover the last resting place of the Kings of France and its unique collection of 70 sculpted tombs. Tour of the Basilica of St Denis Here you'll be able to see the grave of Saint Denis, a Bishop of Paris who died in 250 AD, the royal abbey of Saint-Denis, the burial place of 43 kings, 32 queens and 10 servants of the monarchy. During this visit you'll also be able to see the basilica which was raised to the rank of cathedral in 1966. Enter the Museum of sculptures, featuring over 70 recumbent statues and monumental tombs from the Renaissance, see how the basilica contains within its walls the largest collection of funerary sculptures from the 12th to the 16th century. The birth of Gothic art, the church designed by Abbot Suger, the kings' advisor from 1135 to 1144, completed in the 13th century during the reign of Saint Louis: a major work of Gothic art, this church was the first place of great importance of light and symbol of divinity in religious architecture.

Desde Edimburgo, viajará al noroeste, pasando por el castillo de Stirling, antes de hacer su primera parada en Kilmahog. Aquí habrá un descanso para tomar un refresco y la oportunidad de ver el ganado de cerca. A continuación, viajará hasta Rob Roy Country of Clans MacGregor y Campbell. Seguirá por los paisajes de Rannoch Moor hasta Glen Coe, una de las cañadas más famosos de Escocia, lugar de la Masacre de Glencoe en 1692. Allí se hará una pausa para tomar fotos y disfrutar de la atmósfera inquietante en este valle. El viaje seguirá por Loch Linnhe, deteniéndose en el área de Fort William para comer, y a continuación seguir el viaje por montaña más alta de la Gran Bretaña, Ben Nevis, antes de adentrarse en la belleza natural de Great Glen. Podrá contemplar el canal de Caledonia y el bonito pueblo de Fort Augustus, con vistas espectaculares del lago Ness, a medida que circula a lo largo de la costa del castillo de Urquhart. El lago Ness, con aproximadamente 40 km de largo y con 215 m de profundidad, es el lugar más famoso para ver al monstruo del lago Ness, conocido cariñosamente como "Nessie". Pasará 2 horas en el lago Ness, donde podrá optar por explorar las ruinas del castillo de Urquhart *, aprender de su historia en el centro de visitantes, y realizar un crucero a través del lago que ha ganado premios. Pasando a través de Inverness, capital de las Highlands, empezará el viaje de regreso a casa, cruzando las montañas Grampian y el paisaje arbolado de Perthshire, incluyendo el Bosque de Atholl, antes de disfrutar de una parada para tomar un refresco en la ciudad turística de estilo victoriano de Pitlochry, en el camino de vuelta a Edimburgo. *OPCIÓN EXTRA.

Depart Edinburgh 09.15 and travel northwest through the historic area of Linlithgowshire, close to the historic palace. The tragic Mary Queen of Scots was born at Linlithgow palace, and became Queen when she was only 6 days old. According to legend her father James V died of a broken heart when he discovered his wife had given birth to a daughter and not the son he was hoping for! Your route along the Forth Valley is one which has been used for thousands of years by invading armies, it was the northernmost frontier of the Roman empire and was later used by the English King Edward I as he marched proudly towards Stirling (only to be sent homewards to think again!). Nowadays it’s at the centre of one of Scotland’s most important industries with huge oil refineries dominating the area. As you approach Stirling the magnificent castle dominates your view and you make your way up towards the high volcanic rock where it imposes itself upon the surrounding land. Known as the ‘Key to Scotland’, for centuries this was the most important castle in Scotland and the views from the top make it easy to see why. To the north is the 220ft high tower of the National Wallace Monument commemorating Scotland’s great hero William Wallace, played by Mel Gibson in the Oscar-winning movie Braveheart. From the castle you can look down over the scene of Wallace’s greatest triumph, the battle of Stirling Bridge, where he defeated the English army in 1297. To the south is Bannockburn where, in 1314, the great Scottish warrior-king Robert the Bruce defeated the English army of Edward II. The battle was fought for possession of Stirling Castle but eventually led to a far greater prize for Scotland – the restoration of independence. It’s an area alive with history and you stop at the castle to give you time to soak up the history and heritage of this great site. From Stirling you head into the Highlands and an area known as the Trossachs. Known as ‘The Highlands in Miniature’, it marks the point where the Lowlands meet the Highlands and entering this beautifully picturesque area feels like going into a different country. With its shimmering lochs, rugged mountain tops and forest-filled glens it’s easy to forget that this was once thought of as a dangerous frontier fought over by the fiercely territorial Highland clans. You stop here for lunch in the village of Aberfoyle, made popular in Victorian times due to its great location. After lunch you ‘take the high road’ or back-road to Loch Lomond, Scotland’s largest lochs at over 22 miles long, passing Lochs Ard, Chon and Arklet along the way as you travel through the protected lands of Scotland’s first National Park. The route you take was described by the famous Scots comedian Billy Connolly as his favourite road in Scotland, and you can discover why – it’s stunning!! You stop at Inversnaid on the secluded north-east of the loch, making it the perfect place to enjoy a walk along the ‘bonny banks’, up to a viewpoint for a fantastic view of the loch and the mountain it’s named after, Ben Lomond. This tranquil setting was once the home of Scotland’s famous highland folk hero, Rob Roy MacGregor. Made popular by many books and films Rob Roy lived an incredible life as a soldier, businessman, cattle-rustler and outlaw. By spending time on the trails by the loch you will undoubtedly be walking in the footsteps of one of Scotland’s great legends. There is also an alternative option to take a boat cruise around the north of the loch (Summer only) or merely enjoy a drink at the local hotel and sample the views. Leaving Loch Lomond you return to Edinburgh passing Scotland’s only lake – the Lake of Mentieth (although we have around 3000 freshwater lochs!). The legend states that after William Wallace was betrayed by his great friend the Earl of Mentieth and executed in London the name was changed from the Loch of Mentieth to the Lake of Mentieth so that nobody would ever forget the traitorous part the Earl played in his death.